Offering A `Green Power' Option

November 15, 2004

Connecticut has made significant strides in the past year to reduce future reliance on fossil fuels and curtail emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases.

The latest step is to give electricity customers a ``green power'' option beginning early next year. Those who sign up will support the production of energy from renewable sources such as the sun, wind and water.

Customers will pay a slight premium that could boost a family's electricity bill an average of $10 a month. But they will have the satisfaction of knowing that their dollars will be used to add clean energy to the grid that carries power into homes and businesses, thus reducing reliance on oil, coal and natural gas.

Connecticut electricity customers have not had a clean energy option since last year, when Green Mountain Energy left the market.

Bringing back choice is a good idea, even though the goal of signing up 2,000 customers within a year and 4,000 by 2007 seems far too modest. With an aggressive educational campaign, more people might be persuaded to support green energy.

Connecticut Light & Power Co. and United Illuminating Co. will solicit bids from clean power suppliers this month. Two suppliers will be selected. Each must offer 100 percent and 50 percent green options, under state guidelines.

Earlier this year, Gov. John G. Rowland signed an executive order committing state government to buying 20 percent of its energy needs from clean energy sources by 2010 and 100 percent by 2050 -- the most ambitious goal of any New England state. He also signed a law requiring the state to slice greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, vehicles and other sources to 1990 levels by 2010.

These positive steps will promote environmental awareness, reduce dependence on fossil fuels and foster greater use of nonpolluting energy sources.